Letters from a FReeper - Americans head out to help family, friends and strangers hurt by Katrina

August 31, 2005

[Strutt9]

Thank you very much for listing places to donate. I have been looking for such a list beyond the Red Cross and Salvation Army.

Do you mind if I copy your list for our own personal use?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Have at it.

Thanks!

[Marysecretary]

I remember when 911 occurred, I got two precious e-mails from Germany and Norway, from my cousins. There were many people who signed them. That meant a lot to me. People do care. Governments? Hmmmm.

[Marysecretary]

Thanks for the info. It's nice to see folks care about those animals, too. M

[freeangel]

My best friend just heard from her twin in the Slidell area-an area which was being called a "black hole" because there had been no communication and had been hit hard. There is hope.

[poobear]

Map of 325 De La Point, Gautier, MS 39553, United States

Dear Cin, Below is the e-mail from my friend posted to many of our contacts here in Florida. I postponed posting this to you as everyone was quite busy late last night and all day today. I took the day off for once. My friends James and Donna Garritani are braving a very dangerous trip. Locals in MS are experiencing some very desperate hurricane victims. Despite the warnings they left this afternoon. The link above lets you know where they are headed. Just 20 miles of east of Katrina's ground zero impact. There will be many prayers for their safe journey from here. I hope this information can get to as many FReepers as possible. I know you've been around this neck of the woods longer and am hoping you can post to as many of your ping lists as possible. Thank you for your help and may God bless. Poobear

Maybe some of you saw Donna and I on the 6 o'clock news, channel 7, about the catastrophic destruction in Mississippi that has hit home. Some of you know that Donna and I lost our house last year in the hurricanes. We feel compelled to go and help out in Mississippi. Donna has all of her family about 20 miles east of Gulfport, Mississippi. We heard today that they were all alive and coping with the turmoil. The city is devastated and debris for as far as the eye can see. We are going to load up the trailer with what ever relief effort we can and go and help. Anything and everything from toothpaste & toilet tissue to water & generators, even people, will be appreciated. We really need to reach out to our fellow brothers & sisters in their time of need. I will be leaving, the latest, Friday morning and returning on Mon. Please pray for us on the travels and work effort there. Please contact me at 407-970-2575 with any help and support you may wish.

Thank you all for your prayers and God Bless!

James A. Garritani,RA
Designers Architectural, P.A.
2642 Danielle Drive
Oviedo, FL 32765
FL Lic No AA 0003555
Off/Fax 407-366-4475

---

Wow! The response has been overwhelming from so many people willing to help in some way.

The items most needed are essentials: TARPS, Gas containers w/gas, candles, lamps, non perishable foods, batteries, flashlights, bug spray, work gloves, etc...

Monetary donations should not be given to us. Suggest sending donations directly to the Red Cross or Salvation Army or if you want to donate specifically to the community where we will be going you can make your check payable to First Baptist Church Gautier
as there are several families in this church/community who are now completely homeless.
.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
c/o Grant Randolph - Hurricane Relief
325 DE LA POINT
GAUTIER, MS 39553
phone 228-497-4050

We will be leaving tomorrow afternoon (Thursday). Items can be dropped off at our front door or driveway at 2642 Danielle Drive Oviedo. We are in Lafayette Forest at the corner of RedBug and Citrus. 407-365-9175

Sincere thanks to all of you.

James and Donna

[poobear]

http://maps.infospace.com/home/kevmap?OP=MoveMap&OTMPL=kevmap2/mapresults.htm&qa=325+De+La+Point&qc=Gautier&qs=MS&qz=39553&qo=US&lat=30.3836&lat_p=30.3836&long=-88.6156&long_p=-88.6156&width=360&width_o=360&height=270&height_o=270&detail=3&detail_o=3&scale=4&scale_o=1&matchpass=ADDRESS&ver=29402

better link of map to Gauter, MS. Sorry so large.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Gautier, Mississippi

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thank you for the post, update and information poobear.

Tell them we're all pulling for them.

They are not alone.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Freepers, Let's Roll! It's time to help Katrina's victims and we should go first. (Vanity) - Good LINKS.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Please read "article" and the follow up in Post #26.

If you could "ping" your lists, I would be grateful.

Thank you.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

That's so good!

[poobear]

I am just waking up after a long nights sleep and it looks like you have been quite busy. I will keep you informed of any developments. It is quite a disaster where they are heading. Not much reported on these poor folks in MS & AL. My heartfelt gratitude to ALL and a special thank you to you Cin. They will be speaking with their contact in Gautier this morning. May God bless them.

Thanks everybody!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thanks poobear. I'm glad you've caught up on some sleep.

A lot of people are hanging on the news, praying for the best, anxious for good news and ready to help if they can.

[poobear]

Although this has been a horrendous disaster, I am counting on the fact that a lot of good will come out of it. Thanks to the great citizens of our country! I'm sounding a little preachy right now, need more coffee.

Salute!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

It's a blessed country with the most generous and the bravest people.

God bless America.

[JLO]

Pingees, let's see some positive items.

Please read "article" and the follow up in Post #26.

Several semi-trucks left northern Minnesota the past couple days filled with all sorts of donations. I'm sure many other MN cities are doing the same as well as most states. Prayers continue.

[JLO]

I forgot to mention, that same, small town in northern MN just raised $300,000+ in cash donations. Imagine that all over the USA this is going on.

I also heard very late last night on a cable channel, a minister challenge all southern states to get all denominations to request each and every church within their denomination to adopt just 10 families, each church.

Think if THAT could happen! I googled news and couldn't find what I heard, though.

But I hope come Sunday morning, something may come of it.

[poobear]

I am exhausted JLO, but thanks for the bump and good evening.!! I can't get through to my friends at this time. I can't wait to share what they have. I'll try tomorrow.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thank you JLO!!!